Columbia Alumni Scholars

The Columbia Alumni Scholars are a runty team based in Manhattan, NY that formerly played in the North-Eastern Runty Championship. In 1952, Columbia joined the NERC, becoming fully professional. In 1955, after 4 seasons in the league, the Scholars announced their withdrawal from the NERC, moving back to the New York Runty League.

Background
Originally founded in 1891 by current and former students of Columbia University, they were seen as one of the weaker teams in the NYRL. The university itself was originally against the idea of a team made up of their alumni, but they backed off after the club agreed to conditions that they do not wear the school’s official colours, and officially retain the name of “Columbia Alumni”. As time went on the university became closer to the team, even giving them loans. However, they still claim not to be directly affiliated. Columbia plays at the NYRP, sharing it with the New York Knights.